Local vaginal bioelectrical impedance can predict preterm delivery in mice.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Biomedical engineering
• Obstetrics and Gynecology

Background:

• Preterm birth (PTD) is a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity.
• Current methods for predicting PTD have limited positive predictive value.
• Changes in the uterine and vaginal glycocalyx precede parturition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of electrophysiological detection of glycocalyx changes for predicting PTD.
• To evaluate local vaginal bioelectrical impedance (VZ) as a predictor of spontaneous PTD.

Main Methods:

• Two mouse models of PTD were used: mifepristone-induced and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced.
• Local vaginal bioelectrical impedance (VZ) was measured in vivo.
• Histological examination assessed changes in sulfated and sialylated glycocalyx components.

Main Results:

• Significantly lower local VZ values were observed in the PTD groups compared to non-PTD groups.
• Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed high positive predictive values for VZ in predicting PTD (1.00 and 0.86).
• Histology confirmed increased sulfomucins and sialomucins in the cervix and vagina preceding PTD.

Conclusions:

• Local VZ measurements can detect alterations in the uterine and vaginal sulfated and sialylated glycocalyx.
• Local VZ is a promising new parameter for predicting spontaneous preterm delivery with high positive predictive value.